The 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6, the next salvo in Hyundai’s electric vehicle product offensive, made its North American debut at AutoMobility Los Angeles Thursday.
With a rounded shape that calls to mind the first Saab 92, the new four-door sedan boasts Hyundai’s lowest drag coefficient of 0.22 cd, and has an estimated driving range of 340 miles, according to Hyundai. When the watts run low, it can recharge from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes using ultra-fast 800-volt multi-charging.
The new model is expected to go on sale in spring 2023.
“Ioniq 6 fits the image, efficiency and sportiness that many owners desire,” said José Muñoz, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor North America, in a statement. “Its interior space, battery options, charging speed and all-wheel drive capability will exceed customer expectations.”
A sleek shell
The 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 rides on a 116-inch wheelbase, and measures 191.1 inches long and 58.9 inches high. Using Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP platform designed for EVs, the Ioniq 6’s cab-forward design provides a flat floor and bountiful legroom both front (42.3 inches) and rear (39.2 inches).
But it’s surprisingly meager when it comes to luggage space — just 11.2 cubic feet in the rear and 0.4 cubic feet up front. Credit the car’s sloping backlight, vaguely suggests a boattail shape. It limits cargo space. So best to skip the trip to Costco. But uniquely, the high-mounted stop light is incorporated into the Ioniq 6’s rear wing, making for a unique look, one enhanced by its lighting.
Yet a closer look at the Ioniq 6’s form reveals a front end more apropos to that of a sports car than a sedan. But given EVs don’t require grilles, this makes far more sense that slapping a fake grille up front, although it limits frunk space. In the back, the high-mounted stop light is incorporated into the rear wing
“We want our cars to always connect with customers on an emotional level,” said SangYup Lee, executive vice president and head of Hyundai Design Center. “Depending on the owner’s lifestyle, the way of using a vehicle will be different, resulting in a different look — much like chess pieces on a board, each one with a distinct look and functionality, but part of the same family. Hyundai designs with diverse lifestyles in mind rather than with a one-style-fits-all approach.”
It appears that the Ioniq 6 followed the old design maxim function follows form, a welcome relief from the gray drudgery of functionality that guides so many car designs today.
The inside story
As you’d expect, the Hyundai Ioniq 6’s instrument panel consists mainly of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment touch screen under a single sheet of glass.
A series of center-mounted controls atop the center console control other vehicle functions. Like other EVs offered by competing manufacturers, the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6’s navigation system will route the vehicle to nearby chargers if power is running low. The car can be started with Hyundai’s Digital Key, allowing you to start the car using your iPhone, Apple Watch, or Samsung Galaxy, rather than their car key.
Designers have also used lighting in unique ways, incorporating four small illuminated dots on the steering wheel that activate when using voice commands or other functions.
And, as you’d expect, the cabin is awash in eco-friendly materials.
Drive time
When it comes time to move, the Ioniq 6’s 77.4-kWh battery pack can be paired with a single motor to provide rear-wheel drive, or two motors to provide all-wheel drive. With the latter, you’ll get 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque, that’s enough to move the 4,462-4,616-pound Ioniq 6 to 60 mph in less than five seconds. Range is rated at 310 miles.
With the former, you get less power, 225 horsepower and 258 ft.-lbs. of torque, not to mention an extra 20 miles of range. Recharging can be done using either 400- or 800-volt charging stations without the need for adaptors. With a 350-kW charger, the Ioniq 6 can recoup approximately 65 miles of range in just five minutes. The standard 10.9 kW on-board charger completes a full charge in 7 hours and 10 minutes using Level 2 charging.
Thoughtfully, its battery heater to preheat the battery pack during colder months. And all Ioniq 6 owners will receive unlimited 30-minute charging sessions for two years on Electrify America’s charging network. Thoughtfully, the Ioniq 6 can also play the part of a charger, repowering other electric devices through its standard 120-volt outlet.
Even better, the Ioniq 6 will be the first Hyundai EV to incorporate over-the-air firmware update capability.
Hyundai did not release the Ioniq 6’s pricing, which should be released closer to its on-sale date in spring 2023.
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- Source: https://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2022/11/first-look-2023-hyundai-ioniq-6/
